EXPERIMENTAL PSYCHODRAMA WITH CHILDREN

Abstract

A challenging approach to the investigation of child life has been described by the Morenos (5, 6). Concerned with understanding how the child discovers himself in relation to the external world of people, animals, inanimate objects and supernatural beings, the procedure also has distinct training implications, for through its use both sensitivity and social skills may be learned. EXPERIMENTAL PSYCHODRAMA WITH CHILDREN Using standard psychodrama tic procedures the Morenos participate directly in the living universe of the child. The psychodramatic theatre is the house. The principal interpreter is the child. The players are the child and his parents. The scenes are everyday, ordinary ones such as working out a conflict or giving instruction of the kind occurring during socialization. The events during dramatization are unplanned, natural and spontaneous. Dramatization is enriched through procedures such as role reversal, alter-ego and double technique. The goals are not "therapeutic; rather they are to quicken social learning, to further systematic knowledge of socialization, to increase spontaneity, and to have fun.